Meet Donta Rose, the man behind the black-owned $5m ‘Grocery Outlet’ store in Philadelphia

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Donta Rose, 28, is the owner of a $5 million new local Grocery Outlet in North Philadelphia. He cut the ribbon for his grocery outlet store in the $52 million Sharswood Ridge Shopping Center, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

Donta is counting on the support of his family and friends to manage the facility, and will also receive support from Grocery Outlet, which has over 400 stores nationwide.

Many of his staff are from the local community. “While we want to be a successful business, we also want to be connected to the community,” said Melanie Rose, Donta’s mother. “You know what’s going on in Philadelphia. You know how there’s so much crime and so much violence and so many people taking it out on each other instead of building within each other. That’s why we’re here — not to say, ‘We have a grocery store,’ but we want the community to know that we are from here.”

Donta has a history with Grocery Outlet dating back to when he completed studying engineering at Morgan State University. He designed stores for the outlet, which at the time was expanding into the Philadelphia area.

He got interested in owning a franchise store after seeing a list of future stores and saw one earmarked for opening at 21st Street and Ridge Avenue in the Sharswood section of North Philadelphia.

“That’s where we’re from. I know the neighborhood. I know how unique this neighborhood is, because if you go four blocks over, you’re on Temple’s campus, and if you go five blocks down, you’re in Brewerytown. It became really important for me to be in a community that we’re familiar with,” Rose said.

To open a California-based discount franchise, he dug into his savings and what he described as “a nice, hefty loan.” The store offers a full line of meats, dairy, frozen food, and produce. Donta is especially proud to provide fresh food delivered four days a week.

The store has a parking garage and will also serve as a convenient walking destination for many residents.
 
I've heard that the grocery business is very difficult because of low margins, spoilage, and shrink/pilferage. He is also up against some stiff competition. They may let him have a store or two, but if he is any more than mildly successful, they will come at him.
 
I've heard that the grocery business is very difficult because of low margins, spoilage, and shrink/pilferage. He is also up against some stiff competition. They may let him have a store or two, but if he is any more than mildly successful, they will come at him.
I worked at food lion and they were serious about not throwing shit away. Expired meats get repackaged in the back with some BBQ sauce and the expiration date is pushed back another week. One day I found a six pack of Jucie Juice leaking. So I took it to the back so it can be written off and trashed. The manager fussed me out and said someone may buy it and not know its damaged. :smh: I wish the brother well though.
 
Wish him all the best.


Been to some of the Grocery Outlet stories in the Pacific Northwest ... found some good deals.
 



















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I worked at food lion and they were serious about not throwing shit away. Expired meats get repackaged in the back with some BBQ sauce and the expiration date is pushed back another week. One day I found a six pack of Jucie Juice leaking. So I took it to the back so it can be written off and trashed. The manager fussed me out and said someone may buy it and not know its damaged. :smh: I wish the brother well though.
Damn shame, I'm glad that I don't gotta worry about that though since the store that I go to thaty minority owned make sure everything is fresh and they always stocking things on shelves and they throw the expiring stuff away.
 
All the best to this brother. He’ll need to raise his prices @ 1% to hire security to cut down on pilferage in the hood, but hoping he’s a role model for his generation
Yeah, security is one of the main reasons businesses have to leave certain areas in the first place. Fucked up that he has to put that in his bottom line when the stores out the way don't even worry about it. Need security inside and in the parking lot.

Wish the young man nothing but success.
 
I worked at food lion and they were serious about not throwing shit away. Expired meats get repackaged in the back with some BBQ sauce and the expiration date is pushed back another week. One day I found a six pack of Jucie Juice leaking. So I took it to the back so it can be written off and trashed. The manager fussed me out and said someone may buy it and not know its damaged. :smh: I wish the brother well though.

Yeah my boy say they push the old stuff to the front, always grab the one in the far back. It’s the freshest.
 
Awesome, the bruhs goal has to be to find out what sells the most, what people are coming to buy,

then produce the stores OWN BRAND......with competitive pricing to compete with the current leading

brand folks are buying,

When he gets his own branded items filling up most of the store....

The Jet set life wont be too far away......
 
I worked at food lion and they were serious about not throwing shit away. Expired meats get repackaged in the back with some BBQ sauce and the expiration date is pushed back another week. One day I found a six pack of Jucie Juice leaking. So I took it to the back so it can be written off and trashed. The manager fussed me out and said someone may buy it and not know its damaged. :smh: I wish the brother well though.
Yooooooooooooo! I never bought any of that pre-seasoned or doctored up because I always felt that was the game.
 
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